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Do you live in one of the most dangerous cities in North Carolina?

We all watch the news and see reports on Facebook of the latest crimes that happen in our hometowns. But it can be hard to tell at a big picture level how dangerous our town actually is.

No one wants to feel unsafe, and statistically speaking, odds are that where you live is most likely relatively safe. In order to help the good people of North Carolina — and anyone looking to move to North Carolina — know just how close they are to danger, we took data from the annual FBI report and did some serious analysis.

As an important note: Durham does not report crime to the FBI, so they will be absent from this list. Now that that disclaimer is out o the way…

The data shows that these ten cities are currently the most dangerous in the Tar Heel State:

Why did Lumberton take the top spot? For the answer to this question and a detailed explanation of the data and analysis we used in creating this ranking, read on. Or learn more about the safest places in North Carolina.

How we determined the most dangerous cities in North Carolina for 2018?

Every year the FBI release two crime datasets, a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in the country, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.

For our analysis, we focused on the JUST released 2016 data, specifically the 2016 Crime In The United States Report. We will update the results when data becomes available for 2017 in October 2018.

So what criteria did we use? Have a look:

Violent Crimes Per Capita

Property Crimes Per Capita

In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 90 cities in North Carolina.

We then ranked each city from 1 to 90 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.

Next, we averaged the two rankings into one “Dangerous Index”.

Finally, we ranked every city on the “Dangerous Index” with the lowest index being the most dangerous in North Carolina — Lumberton. Read on for a detailed look at the 10 most dangerous cities in North Carolina.

Here’s a visualization of the criteria:

Click To Enlarge

Read on for a detailed look at the 10 most dangerous cities in North Carolina.

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1. Lumberton

Population: 21,683 Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,812Property Crimes Per 100k: 13,826
Lumberton is, statistically one of the most violent place to live in North Carolina — clocking in at 1st overall for 2018. In 2016, there were 393 violent crimes there, meaning residents have a 1 in 55 chance of being raped, attacked or outright killed.

To put this into perspective, since the average person has 300 Facebook friends, if every single one of them lived in Lumberton, ~5 of them would have faced death last year.

4. Laurinburg

Population: 15,423Rank Last Year: 5 (Up 1)Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,303Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,841
Laurinburg, a representive from Scotland County finds itself as one of the most dangerous cities in North Carolina.

Laurinburg’s ranking for violent crime and property were 2nd and 11th, respectively.

Laurinburg is a bit off the beaten path, yet it still manages its fair share of crime.

5. Forest City

Source: Public Domain

Population: 7,246 Rank Last Year: 15 (Up 10)Violent Crimes Per 100k: 772Property Crimes Per 100k: 7,093
Forest City, located in Rutherford County, is the 5th most dangerous and 10th most violent city in North Carolina.

Violent crime has remained high from 2014-16, during which time property crime fell by only small amounts.

6. Wadesboro

Population: 5,541Rank Last Year: 6 (No Change)Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,118Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,973
The tiny town of Wadesboro might not be familiar to most residents of North Carolina. Wadesboro has really seen crime rise very quickly in the last few years.

For instance, there were 62 violent crimes in the entire city. For a town of 5,541, that’s a lot.

Residents in Wadesboro have a 1 in 16.7 chance of being the victim of a property crime, according to the FBI.

7. Henderson

Population: 15,249 Rank Last Year: N/AViolent Crimes Per 100k: 1,049Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,724
The hometown of Charlie Rose isn’t so rosy right now when you look at the recent crime numbers. There were more than 200 violent crimes in this small town in 2016, and as of the recent criminal rankings, the numbers are climbing steadily.

If you live in Henderson, NC, you have a 1 of 10 chance of being the victim of a property crime.

8. Goldsboro

Population: 35,871 Rank Last Year: 3 (Down 5)Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,084Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,572
Crime in Goldsboro has been heading in the right direction over the past few years, as both property and violent crimes have been on the decrease since 2011. Perhaps the former home of Andy Griffith could use more help of Matlock-type lawyers to help solve some of Goldsboro’s recent crimes.

Goldsboro residents have a 1 in 17.9 chance of being the victim of a property crime, good for 15th worst in the state. Additionally, they have a 1 in 92 chance of being the victim of a violent crime, 6th worst in North Carolina.

9. Roanoke Rapids

Population: 15,273 Rank Last Year: N/AViolent Crimes Per 100k: 707Property Crimes Per 100k: 6,842
Roanoke Rapids has more violent crime than most cities in the Tar Heel State.

Facebook Discussion

47 thoughts on “These Are The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In North Carolina For 2018”

I see that Salisbury came in 9 on the list of crime-ridden cities in the State of North Carolina. No surprise there. If you go into the downtown area, you’d better be packing heat, ladies and gentlemen. I have twice been approached by shiftless young men, asking, “Can we talk?”

I’m no Joan Rivers, so I shouted, “No sir.” It took a second shout to send them on. The next time it happened just a couple months ago. These guys didn’t take “no” for an answer, until I pulled a 38 special out of my purse and held it by my side as I walked away. I heard one shout, “She has a gun!” Then both of them ran as fast as they could.

Both instances were in broad daylight. And I know a lady who was robbed at knife point by a street thief in broad daylight in Salisbury, too. Stay away from that place, unless you absolutely have no choice. Criminal gangs rule the streets there.

I have lived two blocks from Main St., Downtown Salisbury, for 15 years….. walk my dogs through downtown everyday and on the streets that surround downtown, never have I ever had any problems. I have lived in Charlotte NC, and would I walk those streets? No way……

I grew up 2 blocks from Main St, and my parents still live there. Crime in around the historic district has always been an issue, but in recent years it has risen exponentially. Car vandalism, break-ins, theft from garages and storage areas happen all the time. I know multiple people who have been robbed at the wellsfargo ATM off of main st as well. And in salisbury as a whole, violent crime continues to increase, as you see a murder in the salisbury post almost weekly. When my parents first put their home up for sale I was extremely upset with them, but in recent years I have realized they should have done it sooner. Salisbury’s crime rate and joblessness make it a place no one wants to move into, as you can probably see from the 2 houses for sale on every block.

I’m from Salisbury an the past five years I’ve lost a lot of friends and family due to gun violence.. this city has the worst poverty and little help for community to find jobs and other helpful resources.. not to mention the been 3 murders in just a 2 week span.. With that being said one homicide was a 7 year old girl shoot an killed while sleeping in her room due to a drive-by shooting smh.. this needs to stop and Salisbury PD needs to get there act together.. 16 unsolved homocids is why I say SPD please do your job!!

You are delusional. I live in Salisbury and criminal gangs do not rule the streets here. Your story sounds quite scary, but it did not happen in “downtown Salisbury.” Don’t come here to buy drugs and you won’t find yourself in sketch neighborhoods, lady. Because any Salisbury resident reading your over-the-top story knows that the only way in hell that it’s even close to accurate is if you were in an area of Rowan County known for drug sales. “Criminal Gangs” absolutely do not run our streets. Small businesses, artists and North Carolina Historic Sites run our strips. Get off the meth. It’s causing paranoid delusions for you and you should by no means be armed!

Only twice? I get approached all the time by people asking for money while trying to corner me in Wadesboro. I’ve never given the money by repeatedly saying I don’t have any on me. I was surprised it was on the list and then I recapped how many murders occur within a few miles of me. Had a classmate get murdered few years ago and I feel fine walking anywhere here as long as I have about 10 bucks and no more. I was about to get held up in the Arby’s bathroom not too long ago, man was about to pull a gun on me then someone else walked in. It’s just the way i was raised Im used to being “overly protective” of my belongings. In public my stuff is always in sight or with me and locked up any other time and i see comments about locking doors- psshht I lock everything. Combo locks everywhere and doors never unlocked.

My job takes me to the towns of Henderson, Burlington, Salisbury and Statesville every other month or so. Of all these cities, I avoid staying overnight or dining in Henderson. It’s a real armpit. I used to stay overnight occasionally in Salisbury, until a burned body was recovered from a wooded area next to the budget hotel I stayed in. The interstate noise was unrelenting, too. Burlington actually has some okay hotels near I-85, where I feel safe. Statesville is just about as bad as Salisbury and Henderson, though. The best advice is to get a CCW permit, and know when lethal force may be used, to repel any of the scofflaws that make these towns the pariahs of North Carolina.

Mayhem is continuel in Salisbury. 2009 a note on a newspaper rack at Chic-Filet led cops to a burned body behind Comfort Suites. 2010 3 gangbangers robbed parked trai across from Police dept. 2014 gangbanger with empty shotgun got capped by a deputy at dinner in Chinese restaurant between Chic-Filet and Comfort Suites when he tried robbing the till. WilcoHess customers regularly jacked while pumping petrol a couple blocks away. Walmart customers robbed and beaten after dark. Never go to Salisbury after dusk. Or unarmed.

I agree on Durham. Between the gangs and pure thugs on the streets, they have a shooting every other night. Many neighborhoods can’t get a pizza delivered after dark, and the cops are even leery of some areas. It’s a dump with a good college and medical center. Shame.

I’d feel a lot safer staying in Lumberton or Henderson than Salisbury. The crime in Salisbury is rampant! All the business areas and motels are bordered by high crime neighborhoods and the police department is all but non-existent.

There is nothing remotely flawed about these top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in N.C. Choices. These Dangerous City Choices are based on accurate and scientifically valid “per capita” statistics. That’s why cities like Durham and Charlotte are jam packed with crime based on their populations do not make the top 10 list because of their “per capita” statistics. Some unfortunate living in a top ten dangerous city is more likely to be a victim of violent and property crime than they would dwelling in cities like Durham and Charlotte which have their crime homogenized by the existence of safer neighborhoods within their city limits. Violent dumps like Salisbury, Henderson, and Statesville offer a more criminally saturated community.

I used to live in Salisbury and its streets are run by a slew of gangs dealing heroin, meth, and crack. There is no safe place in that city. Henderson and Lumberton are real winners too. Salisbury’s downtown is seedy dump packed with vacant buildings and closes down promptly a 5 p.m. because shopkeepers want to get off the streets. Break-ins are constant all over the city. Working class people both white and black are selling their homes and moving out. It’s become a horrible place to live. If you have to service an account in Salisbury, pack. One quarter of the population lives in poverty. Salisbury should be at least 3 to 5 on the list, but I won’t quibble. All 10 of those dumps are a must to avoid. Seriously.

Salisbury has a little clique of downtown cult followers who try to portray the over-priced rents as worth it due to the ‘vibrancy’ of business, which is not the case except during monthly festivals. Few businesses can make it because of the lack of safe, convenient parking. And the walk from distant ‘free parking’ is perilous because of the rampant muggings. A lot of the commenters don’t understand the meaning of “per capita” crime, or are just being willfully ignorant. But FBI stats do not lie.

Salisbury had a great Club District plan for West Fisher Street. Then someone had a bright idea for a children’s theater. Early evenings 2/3 of the time, parents’ cars consume all available parking. It has killed restaurant businesses on that end of town because people won’t risk parking at the Depot or behind City Hall, to run the gauntlet passed gangbangers to dine downtown, when two dozen chain restaurants have better lighted, safer parking off I-85.

Clayton?????, Smithfield?????, im sorry but that’s hilarious. Now I could see Smithfield being a somewhat rough place in some parts of that little city but Clayton? I got to get out more then. But over all I really do think Clayton and Smithfield should not be on this list. There is no real crime that’s news worthy from these two.

Correlate the increase in crime with the racial composition of the towns and don’t be surprised by the results. As the number of white residents decreased, or more specifically the number of black residents increased, the increase in crime is more than a mere causality. Everything they said would happen if we ended segregation has come true. Sad, but true.

It seems to me the increase in heroin in our area is directly related to both the violent crime and property crime rates being so high in the areas around Charlotte. It’s majority white users rob, steal, and commit a whole gamut of crimes to feed their habit. However, heroin does not discriminate like you and there are addicts of all colors suffering out there with little to no access to rehabilitation resources in Cabarrus, Rowan, Union and Gaston counties. If you knew anything about those areas you would know the heroin epidemic has caused a great many white people to clog the jails and criminal system, but being white, they don’t stay behind bars hardly at all compared to our darker complexion friends. Please don’t be the stereotypical racist asshat from the south!

If Durham and other cities reported their crime stats to the FBI, this list would be very different. Why do they not report? Because left-wingers in charge know who commits the crimes, and are afraid to discuss it publicly. This policy is actually dangerous to unsuspecting travelers as well as citizens.

Having just moved down to NC, I’ve found I like it a lot down here. I actually live in Lumberton though, and find it appalling that the crime rate has been allowed to clime to the rate it’s at. Where are the police? Why are so many scumbags getting away with daily thefts? And yes, I mean daily! Read the crime reports in The Robesonian – Seems like it’s only a matter of time before my cars are definitely broken into, and possibly my house. What a load of crap! So much for “Southern Hospitality” and what have you. If not for my job transfer bringing me to Lumberton, I’d never have chosen to move here instead of, oh ANYWHERE else in North Carolina. I want to learn the history of my new home, but so far, I’m curious why anybody want’s to call this place home… Where is the public outcry? Where’s the support? Why the massive crime rates? I come from a place where bull$h!t isn’t tolerated. I naively assumed moving to NC would build upon that, but in Lumberton, apparently people are stuck living in fear of scum. Pathetic. Clean up your act Lumberton! It’s must be embarrassing for good people to admit they live here. Just awful. My advice – Stay armed. And train to hit center mass. F*** the oxygen thieves!

Welcome to the south! 😉 Moved to NC in 1989, so already had the reality check. My advice? Don’t leave anything of value in your car at any time, keep car and home doors locked at all times. I do now. And I live in peaceful little central Asheboro, NC. Still, things are different down here. As for the police, they can only do so much, the good ones who try. It’s a new world so stay safe. 🙂

Cary Apex and Morrisville were very safe back in the mid 1990’s when I lived around there to about mid 2000’s. Now I seem to see news spots every week about some meth house getting busted or people getting murdered. Yeesh.

Ha! Ha! No Durham on the list. Very funny people! My son lives in Durham and his home has been broken into 3 times, he has had bullets come thru his window and the police tell him he’s in the better part of that area. The bullets came from several blocks over where they have constant gun violence, he’s west of Briar Creek area. I lived in Durham where you can’t even leave a plant on the porch without it being stolen. I’ve had pocketbooks stolen at home and work, our car was stolen twice and never leave a door unlocked or a window open, you’re asking for it. Durham not on the list, Ha! Ha! Maybe it’s not on the list because we just give up on reporting the crimes, nothing can be done about it. The crime is so abundant the cops can only focus on the serious or immediate urgent ones he told me when my car was stolen.

I think the last list I’m seeing is from 2013 but I only have a phone; no computer. Am always glad to get email updates from you ladies through Roadsnacks bc I live alone in Asheboro. Someone asked about Winston Salem. It was down at 19? Surprised me too. Must be very populated I think. I live in the home invasion town. Mostly guys looking for drugs or something to sell for drug money I think but not too violent usually. May be my famous last words. Goodnight.

lol lets just say for the sake of all these comments that no place is realy safe anymore. i moved to lumberton with my husband in august 2016. the house is his family home that has been vacant for about a year. we had a rough start due to the last renters that lived here. they stole the fridge, stove, the a/c and heating unit, ruined the carpets with what we could only figure to be animal feces, stole the stone mantel that has hung over the fireplace for over 40 years, and the list goes on! but we have managed with out these items so far with the help of myrefuge. ms rose and marie and many volenteers thank you! i hav noticed ALOT of crimes here. the older gentleman behind us was murdered nov. 5th 2016. my other neighbors house has been broke into and robbed 2x, i was almost attacked by a young male that came out of nowhere one night walkn my dog. i thank God for my husbands quick reaction. i dont believe the youngman even saw my husband watching me. my husband is an original lumbee from here. he warned me about the violence here, but we realy had no choice. we found ourselves homeless in va, so we came here to try and start out new. its nice. luv the weather and the people. dispite the criminals lol. i carry no when i go out anywhere cause… well… i never knw when someone is gona b stupid. ive noticed ALOT of racism here. im a half breed so i get alot of haters lol owell lol my newest neighbor that is now living in the oldmans house that was murdered is a hateful racist. she only likes black people and indians and since im a halfbreed (calusa/white) she has nuthn but racial comments for me when she sees im out walkn my dog. i just smile and wave lol. it is bad here, but there are still good people here!

I live in Asheboro NC and think it’s a pretty nice town, but I keep to myself. Sure I keep my car and house doors locked bc I think as drug problems increase across the nation so does theft. Also think it increases unemployment. It’s my opinion that some of these incorporated prisons should be rehab centers, but my opinion goes as far as my income; not far. Still think it’s a good idea. May turn many potential inmates into employable prospects.

Does anyone have any information on the town of Selma? My wife and I are looking into properties there and would be relocating to NC. The best information can only come from the folks that know their state. Your help and guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Wrong and misleading! This is “fake news” at its best! Take for instance, Oxford. The population that this author cites is completely wrong based on the latest census data… Of by over 3000 to 4000! And they use a picture of a church in Oxford! Unbelievable! What about Henderson?

Yea Forest City stinks…mostly meth heads and opium addicts…i went there a few months ago to visit a friend…fir the 3 days i was there im sure i heard 20 gunshots and 20 late night sirens…its only a 45 min from west charlotte and it borders the greenville-spartanburg metro in south carolina…but this lil town is really a wild one…meth and heroin dealers paradise…and when i was downtown at local bar i heard a local cop say…we locking all the people up and now the white boys cuttin a fool…exact words…that town stinks…i couldnt wait to get back to charlotte…sheeesh!!!